THE LAST LEAF
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow in one or two sentences.
Or
What was the reason for Johnsy’s deteriorating health?
By – 0. Henry
(I)
She talked about clothes and fashions, but Johnsy did not respond. Johnsy continued to lie still on her bed. She brought her drawing-board into Johnsy’s room and started painting.
(a) Why did Sue talk about clothes and fashion?
Ans: Sue talked about clothes and fashion because she was trying to cheer up Johnsy who was depressed due to her illness.
(b) Why did Johnsy continue to lie still on her bed?
Ans: Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia and was weak and depressed. So she continued to lie still in her bed.
(c) Why did Sue bring her drawing-board into Johnsy’s room?
Ans: Sue brought her drawing-board into Johnsy’s room to give her company and help her not to feel lonely.
(d) Which value of Sue’s character is revealed through these lines?
Ans: These lines reveal Sue’s value as a true friend. She makes special efforts to divert her friend’s mind away from negative thoughts.
(II)
He was a sixty-year-old painter. His lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece but that had remained a dream. Sue poured out her worries to Behrman.
(a) Who is being talked about here? The person being talked about here is Mr Behrman,
Ans: Sue and Johnsy’s neighbour, who lived on the ground floor of the same building where the two girls lived.
(b) What was his lifelong dream? Why had it remained unfulfilled so far?
Ans: His lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece. It had remained unfulfilled so far because he had not found any opportunity or inspiration to paint the masterpiece.
(c) Why did Sue pour out her worries to Behrman?
Ans: Sue poured out her worries to Behrman because she was alarmed at her friend, Johnsy’s deteriorating condition and wanted guidance and support from the elderly well-wisher.
(d) Why do you think Behrman listened to Sue?
Ans: Mr Behrman, the old painter, listened to Sue because he was a compassionate person and a good neighbour.
(III)
Sue hugged Johnsy. Then she gave her lots of hot soup and a mirror. Johnsy combed her hair and smiled brightly.
(a)When did Sue hug Johnsy? Why?
Ans: Sue hugged Johnsy because she was happy to get a positive response from her for the first time after her illness. This raised hope about Johnsy’s recovery.
Why did Sue give her soup?
Ans: Sue gave her soup to replenish her energy since a depressed Johnsy had not been eating properly since her illness.
(b)Why did Sue give her a mirror too?
Ans: Sue gave Johnsy a mirror too so that Johnsy could comb her hair and make her appearance brighter and better.
(c)What made Johnsy smile brightly?
Ans: The kindled hope of her recovery and survival made Johnsy smile brightly.
(IV)
Then they found a ladder and a lantern still lighted lying near his bed. There were also some brushes and green and yellow paints on the floor near the ladder.
(a)Who is ‘his’ in these lines?
Ans: ‘His’ in these lines is Behrman, the sixty-year-old painter and neighbour of the young artists, Sue and Johnsy.
(b)Why was the lantern still lighted?
Ans: The lantern was still lighted because Behrman had been painting the leaf outside throughout the stormy night. He was completely wet and did not have the stamina to switch it off.
(c) Why were the paints green and yellow?
Ans: The paints were green and yellow because Behrman had painted a pale yet live leaf using these colours.
(d)Why had a ladder been used?
Ans: The ladder had been used to paint the masterpiece leaf at the same high spot of the ivy creeper where the actual last leaf fluttered in the strong icy winds.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS.
(to be answered in about 30 – 40 words each)
Q1.Who were Sue and Johnsy? Where did they live?
Ans: Sue and Johnsy were young artist friends who were struggling to establish themselves in the world of art. Both lived in a small flat which was on the third floor of an old house. They shared this place.
Q2. Why did Sue become worried when Johnsy fell ill?
Ans: Sue became worried because Johnsy would lie in her bed without moving, just gazing out of the window. Johnsy had pneumonia and it seemed curable but her condition indicated otherwise.
Q3. Why was Johnsy’s condition worrisome according to the doctor?
Ans: According to the doctor, Johnsy’s condition was worrisome because she did not show any signs of improvement despite good treatment. He thought that perhaps she had lost her will to live and no medicine could help her in this negative state of mind.
Q4. How did Johnsy associate herself with the falling leaves?
Ans: It was autumn and the ivy creeper leaves were falling gradually. This depressed an already ill Johnsy and strangely enough she associated her falling health with the leaves. She believed that she would die when the last leaf fell. Q5. How could Johnsy’s life be saved? Johnsy’s life could be saved by reviving her interest in things around her. She was in a state of depression and had to be convinced that she could recover fully if she had the will to live.
Q5. How did Sue try to revive Johnsy’s interest in things around her?
Ans: Sue talked about clothes and fashions to draw Johnsy’s interest in things around her. She also moved her drawing-board to Johnsy’s room and whistled as she painted, to keep Johnsy’s mind off her illness.
Q6.How did Sue help Johnsy during her illness?
Ans: Sue helped Johnsy by looking after all her needs. She would give her hot soup from time to time and sit by her side and talk to her. She called the doctor and even sought help from their neighbour Behrman.
Q7. Why was Johnsy counting backwards while looking out of the window?
Ans: Johnsy kept looking out of the window and counted backwards to note the number of leaves left on the ivy-creeper. She believed that she would die when the last leaf fell whereas the leaves were falling in a normal process of nature during the autumn season.
Q8.What did Sue see when she heard Johnsy counting backwards?
Ans: When Sue heard Johnsy counting backwards, she looked out of the window and saw an old ivy creeper climbing half way up the brick wall opposite their window. The creeper was shedding leaves due to the strong autumn wind.
Q9. How did Sue try to convince Johnsy that her belief about dying with the last leaf was nonsense?
Ans: Sue immediately rubbished Johnsy’s belief as nonsense. She tried to convince her by telling that old ivy leaves had nothing to do with her illness. The doctor too was confident that she would get better.
Q10. Why did Sue seek the promise from Johnsy not to look out of the window while she completed her painting?
Ans: Sue sought this promise because she did not want Johnsy to go deeper into the depression on seeing the ivy leaves fall. Moreover, she could not even pull the curtains to stop Johnsy from looking out as she needed the incoming light to complete her painting and get money for the two of them by selling it.
Q11.Who was Behrman? Why did Sue share her worry with him?
Ans: Behrman was a sixty-year-old painter who lived on the ground floor of the same building as Sue and Johnsy. Sue shared her worry with him because Behrman was an elderly person and his vast experience of life could be of great help.
Q12. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true? (Textual)
Or
What was Behrman’s dream? How did it come true?
Ans: Behrman dreamt of painting a masterpiece some day. His dream did come true when he painted a leaf that was a near replica of a real leaf. This masterpiece saved a young life and fulfilled Behrman’s ambition too. Unfortunately, it cost him his life.
Q13. ‘I’m tired of waiting.’ Why did Johnsy say so to Sue?
Ans: Johnsy wanted Sue to finish her painting quickly so that she could see the last leaf fall. She believed that she would die with it but this was taking too long. She became tired of waiting for the last leaf to fall.
Q14. What did Sue and Behrman see from the window of the room next to Johnsy’s?
Ans: Sue and Behrman saw that only one leaf was left on the ivy creeper that was fluttering in the icy-cold wind accompanied by heavy rain. Under such conditions, it was bound to fall anytime soon.
Q15.Why was Sue nervous and reluctant while drawing the curtains on the morning after the storm?
Ans: Sue was nervous because she was certain that the last leaf had fallen at night. This could make Johnsy quit all hope of survival as she had associated her death with the falling leaves of the ivy creeper.
Q16. What made Sue exclaim on looking out of the window on the morning after the storm?
Or
What did Sue point out to Johnsy when she looked out of the window on the morning after the storm?
Ans: Sue exclaimed in amazement and delight because the last leaf was still there on the ivy creeper. She pointed out to Johnsy that the leaf looked quite green and healthy. It had not fallen in spite of the fierce winds and rain. This meant that Johnsy too could recover.
Q17. How did Sue try to encourage Johnsy?
Ans : Sue tried to encourage Johnsy by telling her that she won’t die and that she had to live for the sake of her friends. She further pleaded with Johnsy to spare a thought for her as she could not live without Johnsy.
Q18.What did Johnsy admit to Sue when the last leaf did not fall?
Or
When did Johnsy realise her mistake?
Ans: When Johnsy saw the last leaf intact, she admitted that Sue had looked after her so lovingly and she, in turn, had been a bad, wicked, gloomy, and non-cooperative girl. She had now realised that it was a sin to want to die.
Q19. When and why was the doctor’s report encouraging about Johnsy’s condition?
Ans: The doctor gave an encouraging report about Johnsy’s condition after examining her in the afternoon a day after the storm. He believed that the report was encouraging because now Johnsy had regained her will to live.
Q20. What news about Behrman did the doctor convey to Sue when he came to examine Johnsy?
Ans: When the doctor came to examine Johnsy, he told Sue that Behrman too was suffering from pneumonia. He said that he was confident of Johnsy’s recovery but feared that there was no hope for Behrman.
Q21. What led to Behrman’s unfortunate death?
Or
Why did Behrman spend a night out in the storm and rain?
Ans: Behrman died because he had spent the entire stormy night painting a replica of the last leaf on the ivy creeper and had caught pneumonia as a result. He did this to save Johnsy’s life. He did not want her to see the creeper without its last leaf and lose the will to live
Q22. Which items were found near Behrman when he died? What did this signify?
Ans: A ladder and a lighted lantern were found near Behrman’s bed when he died. There were also some brushes and green and yellow AT paints on the floor near the ladder. This signified that the last green and fresh leaf had been painted by Behrman all through the stormy night.
Q23. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so? (Textual)
Ans: Behrman’s masterpiece was the leaf that he painted on the wall opposite Johnsy’s window. He had braved icy winds and rains at night while painting the leaf. Sue called it a masterpiece as it was gmen and healthy like a real leaf. Besides, it had saved Johnsy’:; life by reviving her will to live. Thus, Behrman’s painting was a masterpiece in the sense that it had saved a precious life and was able to fox an artist.
Q24.What saved Johnsy’s life? The last half painted by Behrman on the wall opposite Johnsy’s
Ans: window saved her life. The leaf was a true replica of the last leaf hanging on the ivy creeper. Johnsy mistook it to be a real leaf and felt that she had been wicked and it was a sin to want to die.
Q25.’It looks quite green and healthy’. What were the cause of the leaf’s colour and freshness?
Ans: The last leaf on the ivy creeper looked quite green and healthy because it was not a real leaf, but a painted one. Behrman had painted it overnight to help save Johnsy’s life.
Q.26. Why did Johnsy keep looking out of the window?
Ans. There was a creeper on the wall facing Johnsy’s window. She had a fancy that she would die when the last leaf of the creeper fell. The leaves were falling because it was an autumn season. So Johnsy kept looking out of the window.
Q27. How did Sue try to keep Johnsy cheerful?
Ans. The doctor had said that Johnsy’s chances of recovery were only one out of ten. Sue became sad and cried bitterly. But she wanted to cheer up Johnsy. So she entered her room, whistling a cheerful tune.
Q.28. How did Behrman react to Johnsy’s fancy?
Ans. Johnsy had a fancy that she would die when the last leaf fell. Behnnan did not like this fancy of Johnsy. He called her fancy mere nonsense. He said that she should not have such absurd ideas.
Q.29. What did Johnsy believe about the falling leaves? Did Sue believe the same?
Ans. Johnsy got a fancy that she would die with the fall of the last leaf. But, Sue considered it a foolish idea. She said that there’could be no relationship between the last leaf and somebody’s life.
30. How did old Behrman die?
Ans. Behrman knew about Johnsy’s fancy about the falling leaves. He went out in the cold and snow and painted a leaf on the wall. l le caught pneumonia and died.
31 How did Johnsy realise her mistake?
Ans. Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia. There was a creeper on the wall facing her window. Johnsy had a fancy that she would die when the last leaf fell. One night, there was only one leaf left. She thought that she would also die with the falling of the leaf. But that night, Behnnan painted a leaf in its place. So it did not fall. It made her realise that it was a sin to wish to die.
Q.32. What kind of a friend was Sue to Johnsy?
Ans. Sue and Johnsy were close friends. Both were painters. Apart from that their tastes and views were similar. They lived in the same small flat. When Johnsy suffered from pneumonia, Sue looked after her with love and care. It was largely because of her care that Johnsy’s life was saved.
Q.33. Describe in your own words the colony where the artists lived.
Ans. The artists’ colony grew in the old village named Greenwich. It was to the west of Washington Square., Its streets were winding. These streets had strange angles and curves.
ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS
Q1. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her – the medicine or her willingness to live? (Textual)Or
What was the reason for Johnsy’s deteriorating health?
Ans: Johnsy suffered an attack of pneumonia in the cold winter month of November. Her illness made her so weak that she went into depression. She would lie still on her bed and keep gazing out of the window. The autumn added to her gloom when she saw the trees shedding leaves. She began to associate her death with the falling leaves and this negative thought deteriorated her health. When she gave up all hope on life, she refused to eat anything and medicines lost their effect. According to the doctor, her recovery depended on her willingness to live. In the absence of determination to get well soon even the medicines failed to affect positively.
Q2.Sue is a true and faithful friend. Comment.
Or
What values of friendship are prominent in Sue’s character?
Ans: Sue displays the virtues of a true and faithful friend. She and Johnsy were young artist friends who shared a small flat. When Johnsy fell ill, Sue did not spare any effort to nurse her back to health. She exhibited the values of sincerity and commitment to her friend by calling the doctor who would visit them daily to review Johnsy’s condition. She tried to lift Johnsy’s spirits by talking cheerfully to her and thus exemplifying the value of unwavering support to a depressed friend.
She would sit beside Johnsy’s bed and paint so that she could earn for herself and Johnsy. She comforted Johnsy and dealt with her cranky behaviour very patiently. With her cheerful disposition and her optimism, she tried her best to reassure Johnsy that the old ivy leaves had nothing to do with her illness. Sensing the seriousness of Johnsy’s health and her state of mind, she at once sought Behrman’s help. Thus, Sue proves to be a compassionate human being and a true friend.
Q3. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers? (Textual)
Ans: Yes, the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among teenagers. It is so because, like Johnsy, they too lack emotional maturity. They fail to understand that sorrows are as much a part of our lives as joys are. Certain situations in life are unpredictable as well as unavoidable. Teenagers become nervous while encountering such situations. They begin to gather negative thoughts and have a fear of failures. It becomes a vicious cycle and their weak health aggravates emotional instability. Pessimism begins to destroy their will-power.
Another problem is that like Johnsy, teenagers take a lot of time to get convinced They are difficult to counsel and try their loved one’s patience a lot. The absence of a healthy lifestyle pushes them further into negativity and depression becomes deep-rooted. Therefore, teenagers should inculcate positive values like optimism, strong will-power, and faith through meditation and regular exercise in order to enjoy the blessings of a sound mind in a robust body.
Q4. How did Behrman save Johnsy’s life?
Ans: Behrman saved Johnsy’s life by sacrificing himself at the altar of art. “The Last Leaf” is about his extreme sacrifice that infuses life in a young depressed woman. Johnsy’s illness was serious but could be cured if she had the will to live. Her falling health was more due to her state of depression than pneumonia. The sixty-year-old painter Behrman took upon himself the difficult responsibility of saving Johnsy. He made a single-handed effort to brave the icy winds and rain to reach the window by climbing a ladder and finally paint a fresh and green leaf that looked natural and real. The readiness with which he gave up his life shows art unparalleled commitment to talent. He painted the leaf with such passion that it revived the sinking breath of Johnsy. He thus saved Johnsy’s life by sacrificing his own.
Q5. Imagine Behrman survives the attack of pneumonia. His family takes him back to his native countryside in order to serve the old man and nurse him back to health. As Johnsy, write a letter to Behrman expressing your gratitude.
Ans:-
12-111 Floor Ivy Apartments,
20/1A,maddox square
London-20
2nd november 2018
Dear Mr Behrman,
Trust your health is improving with each day. Sue and I think of you all the time and miss you a lot. We have always looked up to you as a friendly neighbour and a kind gentleman artist. Words fail me when I express gratitude for the extraordinary help extended by you during our moments of crisis. Shivers run down my spine when I recall the time you risked your life to save a silly girl like me. You are a very brave person and a true artist. Your masterpiece reflects your passion and dedication and it has made me realise that my whims were utterly senseless.
Your life is an inspiration for young people like me. I have learnt from you that the worthiest thing is being alive. I promise that I shall never let pessimism overshadow me again. Sue and I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you soon. We expect to have you back here and wish that you may paint many more masterpieces.
With warm regards
Johnsy
Q.6.Describe briefly how Behrman saved Johnsy’s life.
Or
`The Last Leaf’ is a story of supreme sacrifice by a wretched drunken artist. Comment
Or
Who was Behrman? What was his masterpiece and why did he paint it?
Ans. Sue and Johnsy were two young girl-artists. They lived together in the artists’ colony. Once Johnsy caught pneumonia. She developed a fancy that she would die when the last leaf on the I y creeper fell. The doctor said that she should take interest in life and wish to live. Only then she could be saved Behrman was an old painter. He lived on the ground floor beneath them. He was a failure in art. For forty years he had been trying to paint a masterpiece, but he had not yet started h. He came to know of Johnsy’s fancy. The night the last leaf fell, he painted a leaf on the wall; He worked all the night in the rairr and snow and painted the leaf. The next morning, Johnsy saw the leaf on the wall: Her will to live returned.. Her life was saved. But Behrman caught pneumonia and died. Thus he sacrificed his life and sayedjohneg’s life. The last leaf painted on the wall was his masterpiece.
7. In “The Last Leaf” why did Sue cry bitterly when the doctor had gone? Later she walked into Johnsy’s room whistling a cheerful tune. Why?
Or
What was Johnsy’s real ailment? What were the chances of her recovery?
Ans. Sue and Johnsy were two young girls. They were painters. They lived like sisters. The studio in an artists’ colony. One day, Johnsy had an attack of pneumonia. Her condition worsened. Shhaedloasitctihnet will live. One day, the doctor told Sue that Johnsy’s disease was psychological also. She did not want to live. In such a condition, no medicine could work. If she did not get back the will to live, her chances of recovery were only one out of ten. When Sue heard this she felt very sad. She cried bitterly as soon as the doctor had gone. But the next moment she entered Johnsy’s room, whistling. Sue did so because she wanted to cheer up Johnsy.
8. What did Johnsy believe about the falling leaves? Did Sue believe the same thing?
Ans. Sue and Johnsy were two young artist girls. They had a joint studio. They loved each other like sisters. One day, Johnsy caught pneumonia. There was an ivy creeper on the back wall of the next house. Johnsy could see it through her window. The leaves of this creeper were falling fast in the cold winds. Johnsy developed a fancy that she would also die when the last leaf of the creeper fell. She lost the will to live. Sue came to know of Johnsy’s fancy. She tried her best to cheer up Johnsy. She told her that there was no link between the falling of leaves and her death. She nursed Johnsy with love and care. She told Behrman about Johnsy’s fancy. Behrman was a painter. He painted a leaf on the wall when the last leaf fell. This saved Johnsy’s life. Thus Sue played an important role in saving Johnsy’s life.
9. Write a brief character sketch of old Behrman.
Or
Write a few sentences on the looks and personality of old Behrman.
Ans. Old Behrman was a painter. He was past sixty. But he was a failure in art. He earned very little through his paintings. He always said that he was going to paint a masterpiece. But for the last forty years, he had not even begun it. Behrman was a drunkard. His beard was long and curling. It gave him the look of an imp. He was a tough fellow. He hated weakness in a man. He lived on the ground floor beneath Sue and Johnsy. He considered himself their guardian. He was very kind and helpful at heart. When he came to know ofJohnsy’s fancy, he decided to help her. He went out in rain and snow and painted a leaf on the wall. It saved Johnsy’s life. But he caught pneumonia and died. Thus Behrman plays a very important role in the story. He sacrificed his life and saved Johnsy’s life.
10. Justify the title of the story ‘The Last Leaf ‘.
Or
Show why the story is entitled ‘The Last Leaf’?
Ans. This is a psychological story. The whole story is based on the last leaf. Johnsy was a young artist girl. She and her friend Sue lived together. One day Johnsy caught pneumonia. There was an ivy creeper on the back wall of the next house. From her window, Johnsy watched that creeper. Its leaves were falling fast in the cold winds. Johnsy got a fancy that she would also die when the last leaf of the creeper fell. She lost the will to live. Her condition became worse. Barman, an old painter came to know of this fancy of Johnsy. The next night, the last leaf fell. But the same night Hellman painted a leaf on the wall. It looked a real leaf. When Johnsy saw that leaf, her will to live returned. That painted leaf saved Johnsy’s life. Thus the leaf plays an important role in the story. So the title of the story ‘The Last Leaf’ is justified.
11. Draw a brief character-sketch of Sue.
Ans. She is an important character in the story ‘The Last Lear. She is an artist girl. She and Johnsy have a joint studio in the artists’ colony. She is kind and noble at heart. She has the qualities of a true friend. Johnsy gets an attack of pneumonia. Sue nurses her with love and care. She works day and night to earn enough money. With this mone,y she buys medicines and good diet for her friend. She feels shocked when the doctor says that Johnsy doesn’t have many chances of recovery. Johnsy has a fancy that she will die when the last leaf of the creeper falls. She tries her best to cheer her up. She says that her fancy is foolish and baseless. She tells ofJohnsy’s fancy of old Behrman. He paints the last leaf on the wall and saves Johnsy. Thus, Sue is a kind and noble girl. She is a true friend.
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